Virginia .................... June 1 to 11
Chesapeake .................. June 8 to 18
West Pennsylvania ........... June 22 to July 2
Eastern Pennsylvania ........ June 29 to July 9
New Jersey ................... July 27 to Aug. 6
Ohio ......................... Aug. 17 to 27
West Virginia ............... Aug. 30 to Sept. 8
NORTHERN UNION CONFERENCE
Iowa, Nevada ............... May 25 to June 5
Minnesota, Alaska .......... June 1 to 11
South Dakota, Watertown .... June 8 to 18
North Dakota ............... June 15 to 25
District of Columbia Conference Corporation
By R. E. Harter; R. C. Taylor
THE seventh annual session of the District of Columbia Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists will convene in Memorial Church, corner Twelfth and M Streets, Washington, D. C., at 10 A. M., Monday, April 10, 1916, to elect officers for the ensuing year, and to transact such other business as may properly come before the association.
R. E. HARTER, President.
R. C. TAYLOR, Secretary.
District of Columbia Conference
By R. E. Harter; R. C. Taylor
The seventh annual meeting of the District of Columbia Conference of Seventh-day Adventists will be held April 9, 1916, at Memorial Church, corner of Twelfth and M Streets, Washington, D. C. The election of the conference officers and various other matters of interest to every loyal Seventh-day Adventist will come before the meeting. Each church is entitled to one delegate, without regard to numbers, and to one additional delegate for every ten members. The first session will be held April 9, at 9:30 A. M.
R. E. HARTER, President.
R. C. TAYLOR, Secretary.
Iowa Conference and Camp Meeting
By A. R. Ogden
THE fifty-third annual session of the Iowa Conference and the State camp meeting of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in Nevada, Iowa, May 25 to June 5, 1916. This being the first camp meeting that has been held in Nevada since both the Oak Park Academy and the Iowa Sanitarium have been in operation, we are sure there will be a large attendance. It is expected that Elder A. G. Daniells and others of the leading brethren will attend our meeting this year. A. R. OGDEN.
Southwestern Union Conference
By G. F. Watson; C. E. Smith
THE eighth biennial session of the Southwestern Union Conference will convene in Oklahoma City, Okla., April 7-13, 1916. Each local conference is entitled to one delegate without regard to numbers; and to an additional delegate for each one hundred of its church membership. All members of the Southwestern Union Conference Committee, of the North American Division Conference Committee, and of the General Conference Committee who may be present at any meeting are also delegates.
This will be an important session, and we trust that all delegates will be present at the first meeting. Officers for the coming term will be elected, and such other business transacted as may properly come before the meeting.
G. F. WATSON, President.
C. E. SMITH, Secretary.
Southwestern Union Conference Corporation
By G. F. Watson; C. E. Smith
The legal meeting of the Southwestern Union Conference Corporation of Seventh-day Adventists will be held in Oklahoma City, Okla., in connection with the Southwestern Union Conference, April 7-13, 1916. The first meeting will be called at 10 A. M., Tuesday, April 11, 1916, for the transaction of such business as may come before the constituent body, which is composed of the delegates of the Southwestern Union Conference.
G. F. WATSON, President.
C. E. SMITH, Secretary.
Obituaries
ELWIN.—Mrs. Florence Sarah Elwin died at her home, in Coxen Hole, Ruatan, Feb. 4, 1916. She was born on the island in 1860. She suffered for many years, and for some time before her death was a cripple. One daughter and one brother are left to mourn. ISAAC BAKER.
ERWAY.—Frances Barr Erway, of Edenville, Mich., died Feb. 12, 1916, aged 29 years. Early in life she became a commandment keeper, and was a happy, devout Christian until the end. Her husband and three children, together with her parents, two brothers, and three sisters, are left to mourn. M. C. GUILD.
PHILLIPS.—Perry G. Phillips was born near Birmingham, Mich., Feb. 24, 1859, and died at the place of his birth, Feb. 8, 1916. He was a devoted member of the church in his home town, and was faithful in his Christian duties. We feel confident that he sleeps in Jesus, and his sorrowing wife and sons are comforted by the blessed hope. L. T. NICOLA.
THOMPSON.—Clinton Olive Redus Thompson, formerly Patterson, died at her home in Fresno, Cal., Jan. 24, 1916, aged 52 years and 11 months. About twenty-five years ago she united with the Seventh-day Adventist church of Handley, Tex., but she was a member of our company in Fresno when called by death. Funeral services were conducted by the writer. E. H. ADAMS.
LOWDERMILK.—Mrs. Janet Lowdermilk died at the home of her daughter, in Joplin, Mo., Feb. 2, 1916, aged 85 years, 7 months, and 26 days. Although not a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, mother was a Christian woman whom to know was to love. She observed the seventh-day Sabbath. Four sons and two daughters, together with a large circle of sorrowing friends, mourn their loss. The funeral service was conducted by Elder S. W. Johnson, assisted by the Baptist minister of Joplin. W. H. BROWN.
NELSON.—Peter Nelson was born in Denmark, Nov. 29, 1829. He came to America at the age of thirty-two, and later accepted present truth. He remained faithful to the third angel's message, and died at the home of his son, in Clear Lake, Wis., Feb. 4, 1916. A devoted wife, seven children, three stepchildren, and a sister are left to mourn, but they sorrow in hope. P. A. HANSON.
JOHNSON.—Randal Melanchthon Johnson was born in West Newton, Pa., and for twenty-six years worked at the stove molder's trade. He came to California in 1900, and accepted present truth under the labors of Elder F. E. Brown, uniting with the Laguna Street church, of San Francisco, in 1905. He fell asleep at Fresno, Cal., Jan. 6, 1916, in the hope of a part in the resurrection of the just. E. H. ADAMS.
PAGE.—Alja Z. Page was born in Clinton County, Michigan, May 23, 1880. He was married to Rosa M. Bellnap on Nov. 18, 1907. About ten years ago he consecrated his life to God in the giving of the third angel's message. Though called upon to suffer much, yet he was ever patient, and rejoiced in the blessed hope of eternal life. His death occurred at his home, near Elwell, Mich., Feb. 14, 1916. He is survived by his companion, parents, and one brother. A. V. MORRISON.
CUSTER.—Mrs. Mary Ranstead Custer was born in St. Joseph County, Indiana, June 15, 1862, and died in South Bend, Ind., Feb. 17, 1916, after a short illness. She accepted the third angel's message about fourteen years ago, and became one of the charter members of the South Bend church. Hers was a consistent Christian life, and we believe she will have a part in the first resurrection. A husband, four daughters, one sister, and three brothers survive. E. F. PETERSON.
PARKINSON.—Died at the home of her son, in Austin, Tex., Mrs. Charlotte Welsh Parkinson, aged 75 years. She was born in Manchester, England, in 1840, and was married to Henry Parkinson on March 21, 1864. They came to Texas in 1869. She was left a widow in 1912, and then came to Austin, where she first learned of the third angel's message, and accepted the truths taught by Seventh-day Adventists, uniting with the church July 26, 1913. She sleeps in Jesus. ELIJAH TAYLOR.
HARVEY.—Euphemie Berly was born in Mondon, France, July 27, 1851, and died in Santa Rosa, Cal., Feb. 13, 1916. She came to the United States in 1872, and united with the Seventh-day Adventist church of Denver, Colo., in 1892. Her marriage with Charles L. Harvey took place in July, 1894. Four years ago they came to California, and her membership was transferred to the Healdsburg church, from which she was buried. Her husband, one son, and one sister mourn. W. H. SAXBY.
BOGER.—Mrs. Mary Margaret Boger was born in Prairie Duchien, Wis., Nov. 15, 1837, and died at her home, near Machias, Wash., Nov. 27, 1915. Mother accepted present truth forty-one years ago, under the labors of Elder John Atkinson. Funeral services were conducted from the Congregational church by Elder P. O. Johnson, assisted by the pastor, and we laid her to rest, awaiting the call of the Life-giver. Her husband, one daughter, and the writer are left to mourn. H. C. BOGER.
RENTFRO.—Sept. 15, 1915, Alma Hiatt-Rentfro fell peacefully asleep in Kansas City, Mo. She was married to W. Earl Rentfro Dec. 22, 1909. It was in 1907, while she was a student at Union College, that she first gave her heart to God. She was a devoted wife, a kind and loving daughter and sister, always scattering rays of sunshine wherever she went. During her last illness she trusted all to our heavenly Father, and passed away resigned to his will. Her husband, parents, five sisters, and three brothers, together with a wide circle of relatives and friends, mourn her untimely death, but not without hope. Burial services were conducted at the home of her parents, in Winfield, Kans. N. A. H.
VOGT.—Little Dolerie, the two-year-old daughter of Howard and Corine Purdham Vogt, died in Jackson, Mich., Feb. 22, 1916. Funeral services were held in Battle Creek, where interment took place. The sorrowing parents are comforted by the hope of a soon-coming Saviour. GEO. E. LANGDON.
SHIRK.—Mrs. Benjamin Shirk, formerly Caroline Reichelt, died in Albuna, Ontario, Canada, Dec. 17, 1915, aged 64 years and 19 days. Sister Shirk accepted present truth about twenty years ago, and her loss will be greatly felt by the Albuna church, as well as in her home and the community in general, for she was loved by all who knew her. Her husband, a son, and a daughter are left to mourn, but they sorrow in hope. L. T. NICOLA.
BOND.—Seth H. Bond was born Oct. 8, 1845, in the State of Iowa, and died in Healdsburg, Cal., Feb. 5, 1916. The family moved to Oregon in 1853, and later to California, where Brother Bond taught school for nearly forty years. About the time he began this school work, he accepted present truth, and was in full harmony with all points of the message until his death. He is survived by three daughters, a brother, and a sister. J. ADAMS STEVENS.
PERRY.—Mrs. Eliza Gertrude Perry was born in Caymans, in 1841. When she was seven years of age, her parents moved to the island of Bonacca. In 1892 the light of present truth came to her through the labors of Elder Hutchins, and she became a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. Her marriage took place in 1865. Her death occurred at La Ceiba, Spanish Honduras, Central America, Jan. 18, 1916. The funeral services were conducted in both Spanish and English. One son, one brother, and three sisters are left to mourn. ISAAC BAKER.
BALCH.—Lucy Balch, née Maxey, died in Fresno, Cal., Jan. 16, 1916, aged 60 years, 10 months, and 4 days. She was born in Greenville, Ill. She accepted the third angel's message in Curtis, Nebr., under the labor of Pastor L. A. Hoopes, was a charter member of the church organized in Reedley, Cal., in 1912, and was one of its delegates attending the recent Central California conference in Fresno. When on the way to her room Friday night, January 14, walking arm in arm with Sister Alice Woods, of Reedley, she was knocked down by an auto, receiving a fracture of the skull. She lingered for two days, never regaining consciousness, and fell asleep in Jesus Sunday night, just as the last meeting of the conference closed. Funeral service was conducted in Parlier, her home town, in the Methodist church, by Elder F. E. Brown, assisted by the local pastor, Brother Rider, and the writer. Sister Balch was a devout Christian. A large company of friends and neighbors join the husband, son, and two daughters in mourning this sister's untimely death. E. H. ADAMS.
MILLER.—John Alexander Miller, Jr., the youngest of four children, was born in Galesburg, Ill., July 25, 1894, and died Monday, Jan. 24, 1916. When he was six years old his parents embraced present truth. In 1900 the family moved to Boggstown, Ind., and two years later to Takoma Park, Washington, D. C. Since then John had been attending our schools at Takoma Park, with the exception of one year at South Lancaster Academy. In 1906 he was baptized, and subsequently joined the Takoma Park church, of which he was an active, earnest member. He was a young man of Christian character and good ability, and did excellent work in his classes. Within the last year he had decided to give his life to the ministry. His last illness came on in the form of a hard cold, and developed into pneumonia. The funeral services were held at Takoma Park church, and were conducted by Elder W. A. Spicer, assisted by Elders W. T. Knox, J. L. Shaw, C. M. Sorenson, S. M. Butler, and H. H. Votaw. The members of the Takoma Park church, also the faculty and students of the Washington Missionary College, attended. He leaves to mourn his loss, besides many devoted friends, a father, mother, two brothers, and one sister. J. L. SHAW.22
RICE.—Mrs. Anna M. Rice was born Jan. 6, 1827, and died Feb. 17, 1916, in Alliance, Ohio. A faithful wife, a loving mother, and a kind friend, she was respected by all who knew her. She sleeps in Jesus until the dawning of the resurrection morning. W. J. VENEN.
MEADE.—Susanna Rinehart was born in Allegheny, Pa., in 1841, and died Feb. 11, 1916. She was united in marriage with Jahiel F. Meade in 1863. Eight children were born to them, seven of whom are living. Sister Meade accepted present truth during tent meetings conducted by L. M. Stuart and E. P. Danville, and was a consistent Christian, a kind and loving wife and mother, ever mindful of the comfort of others. C. F. McVAGH.
EVANS.—George Oliver Evans died in Fresno, Cal., Jan. 29, 1916, aged 74 years, 10 months, and 15 days. A colporteur by the name of Elijah Taylor brought the present truth to him while he was living in Texas, and later he united with the Austin church. In 1902 his membership was transferred to Fresno, Cal. He suffered much during his last sickness, but was sustained by the Christian's hope. His companion is left to mourn. E. H. ADAMS.
MUHN.—Adam Muhn was born in Germany, April 18, 1846. During his infancy the family came to America and settled in Pittsburgh, Pa., later moving to Ohio and then to Michigan. May 5, 1870, he was married to Miss Hattie Church, and four children were born to them. Brother Muhn was a consistent Christian, and fell asleep in Jesus on Feb. 16, 1916. His wife and two daughters, also one brother and four sisters, are left to mourn. R. U. GARRETT.
CROSS.—Washington Jennings Cross was born in Sutton, Quebec, Canada, March 22, 1840. He went to Vermont in 1864. His marriage to Viah O. Edson took place in Palermo, N. Y., July 17, 1866. In 1883 the family moved to Battle Creek, Mich., and Brother Cross spent two years in Bible and colporteur work, coming to Kansas in 1885. In 1902 the family moved to Hutchinson, Kans., where Brother Cross died Jan. 25, 1916. His wife, one son, and two daughters mourn. He united with the Seventh-day Adventist Church in 1863, and years only served to increase his devotion to God and his cause. A. S. BRINGLE.
Graysville Sanitarium and Benevolent Association
By W. H. Branson; R. L. Williams
NOTICE is hereby given that a meeting of the Graysville Sanitarium and Benevolent Association will be held in Atlanta, Ga., in conjunction with the regular biennial session of the Southeastern Union Conference, April 3, 1916. At this session trustees will be chosen, amendments to the constitution will be made, and such other business transacted as may come before the constituent body, which is composed of the delegates of the Southeastern Union Conference.
W. H. BRANSON, President.
R. L. WILLIAMS, Secretary.
Publications Wanted
By Editor
THE persons named below desire late, clean copies of our publications, sent postpaid, for use in missionary work. In sending publications care should be exercised to select only such as are free from soil and disfigurement. We have been credibly informed that some who oppose this movement and the truths which it represents answer these requests for literature, and are sending to our brethren and sisters in various parts of the country tracts and papers representing their opposition. Our workers should be careful not to confound this literature with our denominational publications, and thus unwittingly become agents in sending out matter not printed in the interests of the cause of truth.
James Harvey, 1729 Grove St., Oakland, Cal.
E. I. Hood, 351 Laun Ridge, Huron, S. Dak.
J. H. Downes, Y. M. C. A., Cornhill, London, E. C., England.
Mrs. Anna Hughes, Lunnford, Alberta, Canada. German papers and tracts.
Religious Discussions to be Stopped
By Editor
ARE our readers aware that the discussion of certain doctrines will, in time, be forbidden by law? When the truth is told about “enforcing the observances of the church by civil authority, the inroads of Spiritualism, the stealthy but rapid progress of the papal power,” even Protestants will endeavor to suppress it. “The Great Controversy,” page 607, says that “by every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists and Protestants unite.”
We now see many Protestants decrying any exposure of the Roman Catholic errors. Peace at any price means victory for Romanism. But to avoid any trouble they wish to hush the voice of truth. A word to the wise is sufficient. While the message will never be stopped by an argument of that character, it is necessary in the present favorable time to work fast, for all who will listen must be warned of the dangers just ahead.
The Liberty magazine is published for the specific purpose of meeting the movement to unite church and state. With the legitimate power of fact and argument it is boldly striking at this unholy, uncivil union. Now is the favorable time for the circulation of Liberty. The second-quarter issue is the best number ever published.
A Committee for the Sick
The suggestion of a committee for the sick in the church, comes from Dr. T. J. Evans, of Loma Linda Sanitarium. We quote from his letter to the editor of Life and Health as follows:—
“Being medical secretary of the Pacific Union Conference, I have been thinking a great deal about getting our people to work. In all our lectures before the churches, we have been urging them to do some real work in connection with medical needs. I have felt that the elders of the churches should appoint a committee, if they cannot look after the work themselves. This committee should be capable of giving treatments to those who need help, and I wish it might be possible for them to take Life and Health and use it as their organ. Our people could all do this, and it would give them favor with the people and make them active missionaries. As soon as they became acquainted and worked up friendly relations, it would open the way for other lines of truth. In fact, this plan seems to be getting a foothold in some of our churches. In Los Angeles they are already beginning a movement of this kind. I believe our people, instead of coming up to a great national crisis unprepared, and being compelled to go to the front, should be prepared to treat the sick in such an intelligent way that it would appeal to those in charge of the armies, and we would be allowed to remain in the hospitals and care for the sick and the dying. If our churches can be induced to take up this plan of using Life and Health in their house-to-house work, what club rates could you make them?”
Churches operating a committee for the sick could secure Life and Health in clubs for any length of time at the sixty-cent rate, or by ordering in bulk each month, at four cents a copy. They could sell the journal to their customers at ten cents, making a good profit, and could take subscriptions, receiving a forty-per-cent discount.
In nearly all our large churches the members will have access to those who are trained nurses. These may be secured as instructors for those who want to learn how to give simple treatments and otherwise to care for the sick. Classes may be formed, and part of the time at the weekly missionary meetings spent in preparing for this important work.
The possibilities for good in a work of this kind are limited only by the interest taken in it. The Takoma Park (D. C.) church is planning for a large work of this character. This church has quite a number of trained-nurse members who are leading out, not only in giving treatments themselves, but in teaching others. One trained nurse gave several treatments to the Assistant Secretary of State a short time ago, and sold him a copy of “Bible Readings” in full morocco, by simply leaving it at his home over one day. The best and quickest way to the mind and heart is through unselfish, helpful service. All churches that can possibly arrange for it, ought to have a committee for the sick.
“Liberty” Orders
ON March 12, orders for 175,000 Liberty Extras had been received, and still orders were coming in. One large press has been employed printing this Extra most of the time since it was announced. This press was still going on March 12. Doubtless the 200,000 mark will be reached soon. There is still time to circulate the petitions and to forward them to Congress before these bills come up. The work should be kept up until notice is given in the REVIEW to cease.
“Help!”
RECENTLY a letter came to the Gazette with the word “Help!” written as a heading. Then followed a strong plea for two missing numbers to complete the file for a year. The circulating department was asked to scour the country for these two copies—to prevail upon some one, if possible, to spare these copies, even at a good round price.
If the readers of the Gazette find so much that is desirable in the paper that they do not want to miss a single copy, how much is being lost by those who do not read it at all? How many are there in our churches who, having accepted positions of trust and vital importance without being properly qualified to discharge the duties of these offices, are making no special efforts to qualify?
An Argument that Sticks
By Editor
In looking over some of the old American archives recently, we came across an interesting public debate. It was peculiarly interesting, for one of the arguments used was very unique and decidedly difficult to escape.
A certain man wrote a book. He quoted many scriptures in defense of his position. This book was extremely obnoxious to a certain class. However, instead of attempting to meet his thesis through the press or by other legitimate means, those opposing his views got together one day, and seizing their unsuspecting antagonist, gave him a coat of tar and rolled him in turkey feathers. Of course it was a very warm and showy argument, but did not meet the propositions of the book honestly and squarely.
The only reason such arguments, or perhaps more serious ones, are not in vogue today is largely due to education. There is no question but that our people have in several instances been saved from fines and imprisonment because the judges before whom they were tried had been reading the Liberty magazine, and recognized the justice of their position.
The signs of the times clearly indicate that we are rapidly nearing the days when our unanswerable principles of religious liberty will be met by arguments of the tar-and-feather kind, and finally by the death decree.
Some of our people are being prosecuted at the present time for violating religious laws. Read about it in the forthcoming Liberty. Fortify yourself with true principles. You may be the next one to be arrested, and you will want to know how to meet the issue.
Moral: Place Liberty in the hands of every one in your neighborhood, especially those in official positions. It may be the means of saving you from suffering, and also of saving some one from committing himself to a wrong policy of intolerance.
ARMAGEDDON
By Editor
We are now ready to ship our new book “Armageddon and the Kingdom of Peace,” with the assurance that it will appeal to all our readers as eminently useful and comprehensive, as well as attractive in appearance.
Prevailing conditions afford a most favorable opportunity for the distribution of literature which associates the present with an impending crisis. People admit the probable end of the world and the soon coming of Christ, and are in need of just the information contained in this book, to establish them in the belief of the second advent, and to lead them to seek that heart preparation which will enable them to contemplate coming events with pleasure, rather than with dread.
World conditions demand a large sale of this book, and we expect our people will take advantage of this opportunity to place before the people a work which gives so much general information on the war, and treats the events to which the conflict is leading in a manner both convincing and of absorbing interest.
Well illustrated; 128 pages. Paper, 25 cents; cloth, 50 cents. Ten per cent higher in western Canada.
ORDER OF YOUR TRACT SOCIETY
Heralds of the Morning
REVISED
AFTER a consideration of the wonders of this age of remarkable inventions and financial, moral, and intellectual extremes, it takes up the study of the great event to which present-day conditions are leading,—the second coming of Christ.
The titles of some of the preliminary chapters are as follows: “A Remarkable Century,” data on modern inventions and means of transportation and communication; “Ye Have Heaped Treasures for the Last Days,” a collection of facts regarding the massing of large fortunes, and other financial questions; “The Earth Is Filled With Violence,” a vivid portrayal of labor troubles such as now threaten the prosperity of the civilized world; “The Social Vice,” a description of the alarming development of the companion of the liquor traffic; “Great Deceptions,” safeguards the reader against the occult; “And the Nations Were Angry,” a chapter devoted to the study of the question of war, illustrated by new cuts of many modern implements of warfare. Then follow chapters entitled “When Ye Shall See All These Things,” “And There Shall Be a Time of Trouble,” “He Will Come Again,” “The Earth Was Lightened by His Glory.” This book should find a place in every home. Strangers, neighbors, and friends will read the book with interest. Every chapter is well illustrated. Contains 400 pages. Cloth, $2.00; half leather, $3.00; full black leather, $3.50.
Religious Liberty in America
A HISTORY of religious liberty from the days of religious intolerance preceding the discovery of America, to the present time. It relates the acts of persecution which encouraged emigration to the New World; and traces the spirit of intolerance transplanted in the colonies, the gradual development of the idea of religious liberty and separation of church and state, and finally the retrogression and the drifting toward Rome so apparent at the present time.
As an example of the hundreds of incidents related, we give the following outline of an account taken from the chapter “Conflicts and Triumphs in New York:”—
In 1707 Francis Mackemie, a minister, was imprisoned for preaching Presbyterianism in New York City. After stormy debates and a spectacular hearing, he was acquitted by a jury instructed to convict him. His release after weeks of illegal imprisonment was due to his impassioned address to the jury, and the efforts of three noted lawyers. This case caused much comment in England and America, and brought to an end such persecution in the New York colony. The author is not content with merely relating principles, but has made a large collection of such incidents as illustrate the principles advocated, and furnishes a fund of invaluable information on the subject. Every purchaser of this book is sure to be pleased with its contents. 448 pages. Cloth, $1.00.
The Week of Prayer in the Spring for Our Schools
By Frederick Griggs
THE annual week of prayer held by our people in the month of December is an occasion of great spiritual benefit to all, young and old. It comes at a time well adapted for our people as a whole, and yet it is not most favorable to our schools, as it is near the holidays and the schools are broken up to a certain extent, not only by the holidays, but by the Harvest Ingathering and other special work. Accordingly for several years a number of our schools have been holding special seasons of prayer in the spring. And now the time has come when we wish to have a regularly established week of prayer in the spring for our schools.
At the Educational and Missionary Council, held at St. Helena, Cal., this last summer, the following recommendation was passed: "Voted, That our schools observe a special week of prayer in the spring of each year, the first week in April being suggested as a suitable time." Those schools which have already been holding this special season of prayer in the spring have been greatly benefited therefrom, and we believe that were all our schools of all grades to observe this time of special devotion, it would be a means of large blessing to our children and young people, and so to our whole cause.
Such special seasons of devotion have long been held in denominational schools other than our own, and have resulted in great spiritual advancement to students and teachers. The time of year for this special season of devotion is an appropriate one. The school will soon be closed, and those students who complete the courses of study will go out to life's work; likewise those who are to return to the school another year need a new and strong spiritual preparation for their summer's work in their homes or in the gospel field. Indeed, the need and value of such an occasion is quite self-evident.
Special plans will be laid by the various schools for the success of this occasion. Carefully prepared programs will be presented, and every effort put forth in an outward, formal way to make the week one of success; but after all, the thing most needful is a special preparation of heart on the part of all who are interested in our schools and young people, and who are leading in this devotional occasion. But the responsibilities of this week of prayer are not confined to teachers and faculties, nor to the older and more responsible students, but they rest upon parents and upon churches. It should be an occasion of unusual heart-searching in all the homes of our students. This week of devotion should be remembered by our churches in special prayer, that it may be one of the most blessed seasons of revival we have ever experienced in our schools. It is not only our privilege but our duty to have it such. Whether it is or not depends very largely upon the connection which parents and teachers have with God.
FREDERICK GRIGGS.
Colporteurs Scatter Seed in Szechuan
Two colporteurs in Szechuan, western China, recently completed a one-thousand-mile circuit in four months, securing 1,145 yearly subscriptions for the Mandarin Signs of the Times, besides selling many copies of the paper, as well as tracts and booklets. Thus about 14,000 papers have been scattered as seed ahead of the evangelists.
Petition Against Postal Bills
A BROTHER in Kansas sent to the office of the Religious Liberty secretary a petition against the postal bills,—namely, H. R. 6468 and H. R. 491,—which contained 160 names. He said that he obtained these in a small town of 250 inhabitants. If every person would make as thorough a canvass as this brother has, certainly it would not take long to defeat the Sunday and press bills now pending before Congress. At the same time the truth would be brought before the people.
Keep to the Middle of the Road
If ever there was a time in the experience of this movement when we needed to exercise good judgment and common sense in our activities, we need to do so now. Satan will seek to make us cold and indifferent to the times in which we are living. Failing in this, he will seek to switch us off on some extreme position. He will magnify some little detail so that in our estimation it will appear the main issue of the movement. He will lead us into idle speculation over the future, and we shall be caused to make startling statements with reference to the particular outcome of this and that question. Let us keep within the limits of the plain, straight testimony of the Word of God. That Word deals with great principles. Let us be content to deal with the same. Let us keep in the middle of the road, realizing that we are the bearers of a sacred, dignified, and important message, and that carefulness of statement and dignity of method should characterize all that we say and do.
Reaching Large City Audiences
We learn indirectly that in several lectures which Elder A. G. Daniells has given in Pittsburgh, in connection with the meeting of the Columbia Union Conference, there has been an attendance equal to that at the meetings which he held in Portland, Maine. We believe that suitable speakers presenting the truth for this time in its relation to some of the world-stirring events, might find such audiences in every large city, if proper effort were put forth. Heaven has given to multitudes today hearts to hear. Let us not prove recreant nor behind time in devising ways and means whereby they may be given a knowledge of the truth for this day and generation.
The Power of Prayer
It has been truly said that prayer is the lever that moves the arm of God. All the marvelous things which have been accomplished by its power we shall never know. We may learn sometime that the sincere prayers of faith, uttered by some of the humblest of God's children, have given a mold and character to his work in the earth beyond all accomplished by human planning and devising.
The story is told of an old-time minister in Ohio who spent the last year of his life in constant intercession to God in behalf of the mission fields of the world. He kept account from day to day of the blessings he asked for different fields. After his death this record was discovered, and it was found that the blessings sought had come to the mission fields in almost the exact order in which he had asked for them.
We must believe that God hears the faithful, earnest prayers of his believing children, from whatever quarter they may arise. We are sometimes led to feel that it is in the centers of the work of God that great blessings may be expected, but this is not necessarily so. The humblest and most isolated worker may enjoy in his own experience the signal outpouring of the Spirit of God; and although cut off from association with his fellows and denied the privilege of giving means for work in other lands, he may enter into the labors of his brethren throughout the world by holding up their hands before God, even as Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses. In doing this he may be a sharer in the harvest of souls.
Calls for Help from Southern Korea
BROTHER R. C. WANGERIN, in pressing his plea that help be sent him in southern Korea as soon as possible, says, “At present in this southern division of our field there are over forty persons ready and waiting for baptism; three, or possibly four, churches to be organized. Not only some, but nearly every one of our missionaries is carrying two or three men’s burdens. The work is forced upon us, and we cannot let go and remain loyal at our post. We’ll go down with the load rather than surrender.” This is the nature of the calls coming to the Mission Board, not only from southern Korea, but from many other mission fields, for recruits to be sent. We must not leave our faithful workers to fail.
